The Sensational Subcontinent

There are few countries in the world that can match the diversity of habitats and wildlife that India has to offer. From the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas to the dense mangroves of the Sundarbans and everything in between, India is home to an eclectic mix of landscapes and, as a result, a remarkable variety of species unlike anywhere else on the planet.

In particular, the Subcontinent has an almost bewildering medley of mammals. From the elusive desert cat found across the arid states of Rajasthan and Gujarat to the lion-tailed macaques that are endemic to the forested slopes of the Western Ghats, it’s hard to find any other destinations with such a marvellous mix of mammals.

With India’s increasing connectivity and improving infrastructure, it’s becoming ever more convenient to combine the different locations and habitats for observing this multitude of mammals in just a single trip.

Despite the improved accessibility to travel India independently, it’s still one of the best countries in the world for joining a small group of like-minded wildlife enthusiasts. All of our groups are accompanied by an experienced naturalist guide who not only has in-depth knowledge of the Subcontinent’s flora and fauna, but is also on hand to take care of all the travel arrangements throughout the itinerary.

Making the most of all these advantages that come with travelling in India, we’ve recently developed an extensive and specially-designed small group tour, which visits three of the country’s finest wildlife locations to hopefully enjoy encounters with some of the Indian Subcontinent’s most iconic species - red panda, greater one-horned rhinoceros and Bengal tiger.

Our first port of call is the small town of Manebhanjang, located on the forested Himalayan slopes in West Bengal on the Indo-Nepalese border. These montane and often cloud-laden forests are the perfect habitat for red panda, an endearing animal that’s a favourite for so many wildlife enthusiasts. With help from a dedicated team of trackers, we hope to observe these charming creatures amongst the trees, and we also enjoy the area’s range of bird species as we walk along the trails through the forest.

Staying in north-east India, we continue to the state of Assam and the renowned Kaziranga National Park. Located on the banks of the Brahmaputra River and home to the world’s largest population of greater one-horned or Indian rhinoceros, we head out on game drives to encounter these leviathans.

Lastly, we travel to Central India and the state of Madhya Pradesh. Our destination here is Kanha National Park, one of the prime locations in the country for spotting tigers. Kanha is known for its healthy tiger population and should hopefully offer opportunities to catch a glimpse and observe these majestic felines. There are also a wonderful array of other birds and mammals to see as we explore the park, such as Indian roller, gaur, nilgai, blackbuck, racket-tailed drongo and crested serpent eagle in addition to sloth bear and dhole (Indian wild dog) if we’re lucky.

This small group tour offers chances to observe some of India’s most eminent mammals, accompanied throughout by an experienced and knowledgeable naturalist leader. I implore you to join us on a future departure.

Find out more about our India's Red Pandas, Rhinos & Tigers holiday or contact our team to book your space.